Totally Under Control

Totally Under Control is a gripping action-packed documentary aimed at unfolding the brazen system of America's authorities in managing the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The 123-minute long film provides the public with a comprehensive outlook on the pandemic, involving viewers on a journey to unveil the chaotic scenario in the United States that culminated in the nation as a viral epicenter. Directed by Alex Gibney, co-directed by Ophelia Harutyunyan and Suzanne Hillinger, this film features key personalities such as Alex Azar, Charlie Baker, and Scott Becker among others.

The documentary delves into the incipient stages of the pandemic, harking back to January 2020 when the first few cases of the novel coronavirus started surfacing in the US. With Alex Azar, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, taking center stage, a deep dive is taken into the trials, the surprises, and the tumultuous nature of the pandemic. This narration is supported by Charlie Baker, the Governor of Massachusetts, who presents key insights from an administrative standpoint, outlining the response plan, the execution challenges and the grassroots-level hurdles faced in practice. Providing a holistic and captivating perspective is Scott Becker, CEO of the Association of Public Health Laboratories, adding a scientific edge to the narrative.

Throughout Totally Under Control, the producers have utilized a 'fusion genre' approach by interlacing the styles of investigative journalism, scientific exposé, and political thriller. This blends the various tones of the film into a comprehensive portrayal of events that both explain and criticize the management of the pandemic by American authorities. The audience is kept engaged with the detailed analysis of facts, discreet interviews and authentic examination of actions, interventions, and their consequences.

The clever choice of featured personalities including political and scientific figures, adds credibility to the narrative, making Totally Under Control more than just a regular documentary. Its matter-of-fact tone, interspersed with moments of stark revelations, makes it a daunting account of the strenuous battle fought against the coronavirus. The measured play of emotions, tied with the factual narrative, elicit a profound impact as the film showcases the monumental scale of the pandemic's effect on lives, infrastructure, healthcare systems, and socio-political fabric of the United States.

While Azar’s narration lends voice to the on-ground efforts to combat the virus, Baker and Becker present an insightful round-up of the difficulties faced in harmonizing the medical, administrative, and logistical facets of pandemic management. The film could also be dubbed as a testament to their resilience, capturing their unyielding commitment to save lives.

In the midst of the present pandemic scenario, Totally Under Control acutely illuminates the lapse between policy and action, between promises and delivery, effectively creating a sense of immediacy about the prevailing situation. Even though it covers a specific timeline of the outbreak, its real-time feel expands the temporal context, turning it into a constantly unfolding narrative that keeps the viewer engrossed.

The film is punctuated with numerous dramatic elements, juxtaposing the virus's evolving threat alongside the intensifying struggle to contain it with the administrative machinery's performance. Looking past the struggles faced, the film leads us into the political underpinnings of the chaotic scenario, nudging viewers towards activism. Every issue related to the pandemic, right from the scarcity of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit, lack of ventilators, inadequate testing resources, to the steep learning curve required to understand this novel virus, has been addressed meticulously.

What sets Totally Under Control apart is how it acknowledges and commends the unyielding spirit of not just authorities, but also the heroes clad in scrubs and PPE kits, combating an invisible enemy round-the-clock. This active recognition broadens the scale and depth of the narrative, ensuring that it's not seen as merely a critique but as a tribute as well.

While Totally Under Control is a reflective piece in the midst of a pandemic, it is also an ideal motivator, pushing its viewers to question, act, and contribute in their ways as the world sees through this global crisis. This candidly immersive and detailed chronicle of the US response to the COVID-19 pandemic is a must-watch for not just Americans, but for global citizens, prompting them to reassess their local pandemic responses. It is not just a movie but a stark reminder that the battle is 'totally not under control' and that we are in this fight together.